The car stopped at the Roy family's gate. Ishani leaned out of the car window and saw a huge crowd gathered at the entrance. Everyone was ready to welcome the new bride.
As soon as Sohini got down from the car with Arnav, she immediately looked around for Ishani. Without wasting time, Ishani came and stood beside her.
Arnav's mother, Chhayashree Devi, performed the welcoming rituals for the bride and her son. Then Sohini stepped inside the house, leaving red footprints after dipping her feet in milk and vermillion.
Everyone stopped in the living room. Adriza pulled her brother and sister-in-law and seated them in the center. Various games began. After placing a pot of milk—
"No, she's tired. Don't waste time on all this. Go and freshen up," someone said.
"And what about Soha!!" — Ishani asked.
"The whole family is here for her. You go with my mother," Sayam said, taking Ishani out of the crowd. When they reached the third floor, Ishani met a woman.
"Mom, take her to your room. She's a guest from the bride's side, we must treat her well," Sayam said with a smile.
Sayam's mother, Chitra Devi, slapped him lightly to quiet him. She told Ishani, "Come with me." After entering the room, Chitra Devi said, "Freshen up. I'll bring food for you."
Two other women came in; perhaps they belonged to the household. One of them asked, "Who are you to the bride?"
"I'm her sister, my aunt's daughter," Ishani replied.
"Talk later, eat first," Chitra Devi said, seating her for lunch.
After a while, Ritom arrived. Seeing Chitra Devi, he said, "Boro Ma, you're here! Come downstairs, everyone is waiting."
"Everything is ready?" asked Chitra Devi.
"Yes. And you haven't eaten yet! Come, come see how we dunk the bride in water," Ritom said jokingly.
Ishani finished her food quickly and hurried downstairs.
Everyone was throwing water playfully. Abhi even poured muddy water from a pot instead of clean water. Ishani was shocked for a moment, then burst out laughing—she really liked this ritual.
"Why are you standing there? Come pour water!" Adriza pulled Ishani in. Ishani poured the entire bucket on Arnav. Seeing this, Sayam said, "That's not fair! Why only drench my brother? Did we drench only your sister?"
"Oh please! Look, my Soha is shivering in the cold," Ishani said, widening her eyes—
Later, Sohini woke up. She woke Ishani too. Soon Adriza, Abhi, and Ritom joined them, chatting.
Tonight was Kalratri, so Sohini wouldn't go to Arnav. She had to stay with others. Sohini insisted that Ishani stay the night and leave after tomorrow's reception. But Ishani refused—she had told her mother she would return today.
After much convincing, Ishani calmed Sohini and promised to come back on time tomorrow. But now a problem arose—no one could come to pick her up. Deepak Babu had gone out for some work…
After the journey, the car finally stopped at Chakraborty Nibash.
Just as Ishani was getting down, Sayam said, "I talked to you so much, yet still don't know your name."
"No need for that. Good night." Ishani smiled and went inside. Sayam couldn't do anything; he just turned the car around and left.
When Ishani entered the house, everyone began asking about Sohini's in-laws.
"What kind of people are they?"
"How is their behavior?"
"Is the house okay?"
To everything, Ishani kept replying, "Everything is very good. Our Soha will be very happy."
Bidisha Devi remained silent. Instead, she said, "Freshen up, eat, and go to sleep. Don't stay awake tonight."
With that, she left.
Since morning, Roy House was buzzing with activity. The bhaat-kapor ritual would begin soon, and everyone was busy.
But four people in the garden were deep in thought—Sayam and his three friends.
Sayam spoke first, "Yesterday I asked her name, but she didn't tell me. Did any of you hear her name these last two days?"
"I asked casually… she said her name is Shubhadra," Arup said in a low voice.
"That can't be. She told me her name is Draupadi," Shubham added.
"You idiots, none of those are her real name. She tricked all of you," Sayam said.
"Really! Then we can just go ask the new bride. She's the sister," Tapon said.
"Are you crazy? What will she think? On top of that, I'm the elder brother-in-law. It'll ruin all respect," Sayam replied.
"Then ask your mother. Aunty spent the most time with her," Arup suggested.
"No, I won't ask anyone—"